Kayl Cocks: psychedelia
Kayl Cocks is a Sydney-based artist who grew up in Perth. While living in Western Australia, he spent a year working on his music under the name “Sofa”. Kayl’s drawing talents came to the fore at High School and underwent major growth when he attended Fremantle Arts Centre, located in the Old Fremantle Prison. Subsequent to Kayl’s move to Sydney in 2000, his work was exhibited in the “Caught in the Gap” Dual Diagnosis Awareness campaign at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Professor Marie Bashir opened this exhibition and was presented with one of Kayl’s works. He exhibited at Hypmotive in 2018 and 2019. Over the last decade, he has focused on Trans-Dimensional Cubism. Kayl invites viewers to immerse themselves in his artwork, to draw out their imagination and free their thoughts from dimensional constraints.
Here he shares some of his drawings, the story behind the work and his thoughts on art making.
Tears for Lyrica
Tears for Lyrica was done straight after a ‘dead’ period in my life had passed. As I opened my up mind again, this work rushed out. The aim was to create a work that was psychedelic in nature with the feel of movement over a solid base. I used flowing colours around a mechanical structure to achieve this.
The importance of the aesthetic in my work is to lure the audience in and make them forget, as I try to do during the process of creating my work.
On average I will make two to fourteen pieces a month. This depends on my state of mind and physical health. Usually, the happier I am, the more productive I am. In these works, I have used Artline fine-tip ink pens. I sit down to draw in quiet, private places. I don’t have a work schedule but work as my energy level peaks naturally.
Loopy Poopy Land
Loopy Poopy Land was done in hospital. Despite being cooped up, I was feeling quite positive and even comedic. The colour combination illustrates how this work bends and has a cartoon quality. I wanted the viewer too feel happy when looking at this piece.
Closed
Closed is a representation of electric energy; creatively and internally physical. I wanted to illustrate the feeling of electrons buzzing around atoms. The name of this work is ironic, as the creature which comes out of the piece comes from an open plain of existence.
I draw for distraction
I draw for pleasure
I draw to survive
I draw to escape
My financial survival as an artist is due to my disability pension, scattered exhibitions and other art projects. The important people in my life assist as they provide support, feedback and other necessities.
Final Sorry
Final Sorry is a work completed during a reasonably stable period of my life although the process and feeling of the piece is nothing short of frantic.
Choosing the most vibrant colours, I closed myself off from outside media and layered image over image trying to make a piece which changed form in different views and state of mind.
My approach to making art is my personal version of psychedelia, focusing on movement and triggering imagination in the viewer. My plans for the future are to retain honesty and credibility with myself in my work. I hope to become self sufficient enough too leave the city and create art in a healthier environment. I would also like to raise awareness in society for all forms of life.
The ideal world for an artist like myself would be one of respect. Respect not only for the forms of life we find relatable in this universe, but for every life form so we live in a less selfish way in our society and on this planet.
Published 2 January 2022